Abraham had two sons, one born of a free woman, his wife and one born of a slave girl. According to St Paul, we are like the son born of the free woman born through promise - that is in Jesus Christ.

Jesus has given us freedom. The real value of our freedom is not that we may do whatever we want but rather that our salvation does not depend on what we do. We are not saved by observing a set of regulations. Jesus has given us salvation free of charge. Salvation means the gift of eternal life and our heavenly home is God's gift to us because He loves us.

We should not think that freedom means we have no duties towards God. We should be deeply grateful to Him. Our effort to lead a life pleasing to God is our response to His goodness, but it is not a way of earning salvation. Trying to love God with our whole being is the right response to His love for us, but it is not a payment. Let us therefore always remember that God's salvation is free and the dedication of our lives is a return gift to Him.